The Traveller Equality and Justice Project (TEJP) event at University College Cork (UCC) was an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the strength and resilience of the Traveller community and their commitment to securing their rights, organisers said.

TEJP is a collaborative project between UCC School of Law and legal rights group FLAC, based within the Centre for Criminal Justice & Human Rights and funded by an EU Rights Equality and Citizenship Award 2021–2023.

Dr Fiona Donson said: “The TEJP is a proud community development-focused project. In working for and with Travellers we adopt a ‘nothing about us, without us’ participatory research approach.

“We are delighted to welcome our six Traveller community group partners back to UCC to hear more about their perspectives and to explore access to justice.”

Dr Samantha Morgan Williams said: “Today, we welcome the opportunity to hear about the reality of the discrimination that many Travellers continue to experience in their efforts to secure their right to equal treatment and access legal services.”

Marc Willers KC of Garden Court Chambers shared insights into his own work and the role of lawyers in advancing access to justice for Travellers. FLAC chief executive Eilis Barry addressed access to justice and its role in combatting discrimination, calling for the need for increased access to equality litigation.